2003 Roughshod

Retail: $15.00

Released June 2004

Variety: 85% Wild Maine Blueberry, 15% 151 proof Oregon Brandy

Harvest: The blueberries were harvested from Washington County in Maine, washed and sorted. The 2003 harvest was a record harvest in Maine that began in late September and continued into October with dry weather through the harvest.

Technical: The blueberries were harvested quite ripe with sugar levels averaging 9 degrees Brix. Bottled 301 cases on June 2, 2004, pH 3.0, acid 0.68 g/100 ml, residual sugar 11.0%, alcohol 17.6% by volume.

Description: This is Blacksmiths' original fortified blueberry wine, delicious as an aperitif and hearty enough to use in a unique Roughshod cocktail.

Vinification: Using whole berry fermentation, the blueberries were cold soaked for 10 days in stainless steel. When the temperature reached 45 F, the must was inoculated with Prise de Mousse yeast and punched down by hand during initial fermentation to maximize fruit extraction. At 11 degrees Brix the blueberries were gently pressed and the brandy was added to halt fermentation. Finally, the wine was hot and cold stabilized and bottled.